Flames News

BLOG: Giordano welcomes Bennett into the fold

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Sam Bennett and Mark Giordano have never met but the young forward feels like he's known the Flames captain for years.

Giordano stepped away from the Toronto Blue Jays game he was attending to call Bennett after he was selected fourth overall by the Flames at the 2014 NHL Draft, welcoming the youngster into the fold.

"I talked to him like I've known for ten years," Bennett told CalgaryFlames.com right after the call. "He's just the nicest guy. I'm really looking forward to meeting him."

Giordano and Bennett both hail from the Toronto area so they chatted briefly about their summer plans, with the captain inviting Bennett to come and work out with him if his schedule permitted, and then talked a bit about the city of Calgary.

"You're going to love Calgary," Giordano said. "It's a great place to live."

Bennett has visited Calgary previously and after his meeting with the Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome earlier this month, the 18-year-old felt a strong pull to the city and organization.

"After my visit in Calgary, I came home and went up to my parents and I was like, 'I want to play for the Calgary Flames.'

"For that to come true now, it's unbelievable."

Bennett will attend the Flames annual development camp next month, which begins on July 4.